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Lorra does a screenprinting workshop.

If you’ve been following my recent posts, you’d get the impression that I’m slightly switching gears and getting myself more into crafts. That’s why I’m really happy that there are groups like Craft MNL (aptly found in The Collective) that provide opportunities to learn making new things.

This new direction I’m on deserves its own post but I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’ll just leave you with some photos of and my thoughts on the screenprinting workshop I joined last Sunday. I was waiting for it for weeks since I signed up for one of the later dates. I couldn’t stop talking about it before and I’m still on a crafty high now.

I can really say that it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a while. The fiance, who was one of my classmates, even told me that I looked really happy during those 4-5 hours of making things with my hands.

The workshop was conducted by Andrei and Sheina of HOCUS (Craft MNL’s neighbor, literally) and I really appreciated how patient and supportive they were. They would check our screens if we were on the right track and answer all our questions.

SKIP THIS ENTIRE PART IF YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT THE PROCESS

The first part consisted of explaining the basics of screenprinting. We were asked to prepare our designs on tracing paper before the session but some of us also drew on the spot. We also had a bit of Q&A before we proceeded with transferring our tracing paper designs on to the screen.

Transferring the designs was done in steps. The first 2 steps were pre-made for us but if you were doing it by scratch, you’d have to prepare your screen (whether buy it or mount it yourself), place a thin coat of the screenprinting emulsion on your screen, wait for it to dry, and then transfer the design to the screen by giving it a good amount of light for approximately a minute and a half. The light can be from fluorescent lamps or even the sun! But if you’re using sunlight, be sure to expose your screen for only 7-8 seconds.

Once the design has been “burnt” onto your screen, use water to wash away the emulsion. You’ll only be able to wash away the parts that were blocked by the black parts of your design, revealing your finished screen. Ready for printing!

Use textile or acrylic paints, depending on the surface you’re printing on, to print your design. During printing, you’ll be doing 2 strokes: the flood coat and the actual printing stroke. That’s it! Just leave the paint to dry and you’re good to go.

Craft MNL just posted their June screenprinting schedules, as well as schedules for other workshops. Check them out here. I highly recommend them for anyone who’s looking to do something different and therapeutic. I’m thinking of joining the rubber block printing session. :)

For more photos and to see what my classmates made, check this album out.

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New Quote Notes featuring

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao Tzu

and

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” - Oscar Wilde

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New notebooks are now up for sale! Just click on the Facebook link to view all the other items that are still available.

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“Kuya na si Bunso” Book Launch

The work week ended with something special for the fiance and I because it was the day that, finally, the book we had worked on for almost a year was being launched. Come to think of it, we had started working on it even before we got engaged and it has been quite the journey.

Kuya na si Bunso is authored by none other than the inspiring and beautiful Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan. I remember watching some of her movies before and when I met her in person to talk about her idea for the book for the first time, I was quite excited. But then, when we got to talking, I became less excited about her celebrity and more excited about how “organic” she is and how the book’s story resonated with both the fiance and me.

The bilingual book talks about the changes that a boy goes through when he’s faced with the inevitability that he will no longer be the youngest in the family because his mom is pregnant with a new baby. It was inspired by real life events of Ms. Maricel, her son Benj, her (super cute) newborn Solana, and the rest of the Pangilinan family.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to process this change in the family to prevent sibling rivalry and to promote love between siblings. I appreciate this so much more because I remember how I became really jealous when my sister was born 3 years after I was. I’m glad that my parents were there to explain to me that it’s better to love my sister than thing evil thoughts about her because now, I see her as one of my best friends. I can’t imagine life without her.

The event itself was a bit overwhelming because it was my first book launch where I actually had something to do with the book. We weren’t told that we had roles during the program so we went there just to support the book. Well, we ended up onstage, being described as “so in love with each other” in front of a hundred or so people, talking in front of the camera for an interview, and signing so many copies of the book. I apologize to those whose books I ended up hastily signing on because I really couldn’t feel my fingers anymore. I might even have signed incorrectly LOL.

I was in a haze by the end of the 2nd hour so I just spent most of that time playing with Solana. She is just the happiest baby ever and I am officially in love with her. And of course, having our friends there to support us helped so much. We felt very loved the entire time.

I feel really proud not just because I’ve done this and experienced this moment but more importantly because this is the first project that the fiance and I have worked on, on this scale. We’ve done projects together before, but this is the first time we’ve really collaborated from brainstorming on what pages should look like, to how the characters should be designed, and the layout of the book. I can’t say that I like InDesign any more now but I’m glad I overcame its difficulties.

And the best part? My parents are proud as well. I could hear the joy in their voices when they called. My mom demanded that I write a dedication on her copy and I HAD to give her one haha. Yes, that is the best part. Definitely.

P.S. Happy Mother’s Day mommy!

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Kuya na si Bunso is now available in National Bookstore branches for only P150.

(Source: lorraelena)

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It wasn’t all handmade notebooks these past 2 weeks because I also just finished an illustration project for a friend’s portfolio website. This actually helped me get my drawing groove back and pumped me up for the notebooks.
Sometimes, you lose your spark only to find it again unexpectedly in the most positively surprising way.

It wasn’t all handmade notebooks these past 2 weeks because I also just finished an illustration project for a friend’s portfolio website. This actually helped me get my drawing groove back and pumped me up for the notebooks.

Sometimes, you lose your spark only to find it again unexpectedly in the most positively surprising way.

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A few days back, I got this wonderful tweet from Ms. Maricel and of course, I was beyond delighted. Finally, the book that the fiance and I were working on for quite a while has gone through printing and will be launched on May 11.

This project is special to us because it’s the first book project that we’ve worked on together and we feel emotionally attached. It’s even more special because it’s a children’s book.

We’re really thankful that we get to work together on some projects, but still have the time to pursue things on our own. It’s always fun to mix it up and experience the fruits of our collective/individual labor.

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Here’s a clearer picture of what I made the other night at 3:30AM. I finally got to use some of the jewelry-making materials I’ve had for a while. Earning money and the lack of inspiration got in the way big time but I’m hoping this means I can finally start that accessory shop I’ve been wanting to start.

This was made with brown paper, colored pencils, and a pen, topped of with Diamond Glaze and a pale mint green ribbon. The Diamond Glaze makes everything darker so I’m looking into other materials to use that won’t have that effect, but still protect and seal in the artwork underneath.

Love the clasp too.

Comments and suggestions, especially on how to improve will be much appreciated.

(Source: lorraelena)

#artwork   #life  
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I ended up doing this at 1am instead of sleeping. Go figure.
I usually make lists for the New Year but like most people, end up forgetting about what I’d set for myself a few weeks into the year. I guess that’s why I kept this year’s list short so I won’t be as disappointed with myself.
These are things that I’d definitely want to do, and would require little to no involvement from other people, which means I really just need PURE determination to succeed. Well, maybe except for the biking part because I’d rather have someone support and teach me in that department.
Or I can always just get a bike with training wheels on it. With a ribboned basket even for added child-like effect.
Hopefully I do succeed this time around with this whole New Year’s thing. If not, at least it got me to draw again.
I kind of like the style that came out with this one too.

I ended up doing this at 1am instead of sleeping. Go figure.

I usually make lists for the New Year but like most people, end up forgetting about what I’d set for myself a few weeks into the year. I guess that’s why I kept this year’s list short so I won’t be as disappointed with myself.

These are things that I’d definitely want to do, and would require little to no involvement from other people, which means I really just need PURE determination to succeed. Well, maybe except for the biking part because I’d rather have someone support and teach me in that department.

Or I can always just get a bike with training wheels on it. With a ribboned basket even for added child-like effect.

Hopefully I do succeed this time around with this whole New Year’s thing. If not, at least it got me to draw again.

I kind of like the style that came out with this one too.

#life   #artwork  
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I decided to do a quick Christmas doodle greeting to post on Tumblr and since I’ve been on a crazy The Hunger Games hangover, I borrowed Suzanne Collins’ beloved characters for this.
Merry Christmas everyone from Katniss, Peeta, and me. :D
May the odds be ever in your favor.

I decided to do a quick Christmas doodle greeting to post on Tumblr and since I’ve been on a crazy The Hunger Games hangover, I borrowed Suzanne Collins’ beloved characters for this.

Merry Christmas everyone from Katniss, Peeta, and me. :D

May the odds be ever in your favor.

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Yesterday’s emo sketch (Taken with instagram)
Yeah, I know. The anatomy’s all wrong.

Yesterday’s emo sketch (Taken with instagram)

Yeah, I know. The anatomy’s all wrong.

#artwork